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Politics & Government

Decision on Piedmont Solar Canopy Application Delayed

The decision will be made at the Nov. 28 meeting.

The Bridgewater Township Zoning Board of Adjustment heard an application Tuesday that would add ultra-modern canopy solar panels to an office complex in town. 

The application came courtesy of Martifer Solar, a solar systems installer that has already been hired to install a 1.433 megawatt solar energy system on the office complex in Bridgewater owned by Piedmont Office Realty Trust.

“Piedmont is a very high-end real estate investment trust,” said the applicant’s engineer, Richard Pantell of Princeton Engineering and Solar. “They are planning on incorporating solar into their portfolio and their idea is that they would like this very high-end look with solar canopies. They want the Bridgewater project to be representative of their future.” 

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Martifer went before the zoning board for a variance that would allow the solar canopy system to be hung over the parking lot, which is not a permitted use in a business zone. The firm’s plans also call for the installation of roof-mounted solar panels on a parking facility. 

Pantell presented the board with various charts and photos of Martifer’s plan that included the positioning of the solar panel canopies, positioning of poles and aesthetic considerations.

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Martifier decided to submit applications to the board in two phases, the first being a variance application for canopy mounted solar panels and the second, an application for rack-mounted solar panels above the parking deck, which must adhere to fire codes.

“The second phase is mostly fire-related,” Pantell said. “We still need to consult with the fire marshall.”

If Martifer is able to receive approval of the solar canopy system by year’s end, it will be eligible for federal grant money and other tax incentives that make solar projects more attractive.

Due to time constraints on Tuesday, the board delayed a vote on phase one of the application. A decision is expected at its Nov. 28 meeting.

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